ARLINGTON, Texas — The anonymity of Chris Harris ended in his final preseason game in 2011. Fittingly, he came full circle Thursday night at AT&T Stadium in a moment that explains his stature and value to the Broncos.

Denver’s coaching staff asked him to talk to the special-teams units before the exhibition finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

“I told them how I came into the league, as an undrafted guy, that they were in my shoes,” Harris said. “I wanted to remind them to leave it on the line, give them some extra motivation. The last game is when I made it.”

But Harris was never going to be satisfied with just filling a roster spot. He desires stardom, an ascension that begins with his first step back on the ladder Sunday night in the Broncos’ season opener against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Harris will make his first appearance since tearing the ACL in his left knee Jan. 12, a playoff win over the San Diego Chargers. He broke forward on a comeback route and has been sprinting toward the 2014 opener ever since.

Doubt is not in Harris’ Framily plan. He realized early in his recovery that his leg was healing. Strength returned. He stayed ahead of schedule, a credit to his 6:30 a.m. daily offseason therapy and workout sessions shared by linebacker Von Miller.

If he had been a running back, Harris might have played in the preseason finale. The difference, as he explained, is that he’s delivering hits, not taking them.

“Dr. (James) Andrews (who performed the surgery) wasn’t going to allow that. It would have been too soon. There was no need, not necessary. I get enough practice every day,” Harris said. “Just coming back, man, we wanted to be slow and patient with it and not rush myself. I felt like I have done all the work possible to be ready for this week.”

Harris will pair with former Kansas teammate Aqib Talib, giving the Broncos two of the best cover cornerbacks in the NFL based on last season’s grades. The issue isn’t whether Harris will play against the Colts, but how much. Harris will eschew the knee brace — a cornerback can’t have such a restriction with demanding cuts required — and line up against Reggie Wayne or T.Y. Hilton. Still, the Broncos are expected to watch Harris closely. If he plays predominantly base defense, he might rest in nickel packages. Or vice versa.

First-round draft pick Bradley Roby and Kayvon Webster, who lost ground because of injury and illness over the past two weeks, could spell Harris. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio praises Harris’ work ethic — “I never worry about him” — and said the cornerback prepared last week as if he will start.

General manager John Elway hinted that the club will proceed with caution.

“We’re taking it one step at a time. He’ll be full go, so we’ll see his progress and where he is,” Elway said.

Harris provides more than experience. He understands the defense like Peyton Manning does the offense. He is a leader, made obvious in last week’s speech to the special-teamers. This can’t be overlooked as Denver’s defense assimilates new players and a snarling attitude.

“It’s a little early to say we are in sync. People sometimes want to make a big deal out of the preseason, but there ain’t nothing like the regular season,” Harris said. “Those will be the first real tests for us. Hopefully when you ask me after the game Sunday, I will be able to say yes we are (in sync).”

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.

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